Rabbi Juan Mejía was born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1977. When he was 15, he discovered his converso roots and began to explore the history of the secret Jews of Latin America. This process eventually led him to Jerusalem, where he rejoined his people and decided to pursue the rabbinate in order to help others to find their Jewish souls.

Please note that we will be holding our all-night Tikkun Leil Shavuot at Beit Aryeh this year. All-night learning will feature Rabbi William Gershon, Rabbi David Glickman, Avi Mitzner and Rabbi Eve Posen and special guest, Rabbi Juan Mejia. We will conclude with a Sunrise Shacharit service, followed by breakfast at 5:30 am.

9:45 pm - Keynote: "From the Andes to Jerusalem and back: A Convert Rabbi´s Journey" - Rabbi Juan's personal story about the discovery of my Jewish roots and my pursuit of the Rabbinate.

3:30 am – Rabbi Mejia: "Anousim and Anousot in the Responsa Literature" Classical Jewish sources on the story and challenges of Crypto Jews in Spain.